It is also easier to abandon gender stereotypes: girls in all-girl schools are more likely to study maths and science, boys in all-boy schools become more involved in theatre.
At the moment, 14 to 16-year-olds in England have to study English, maths, science, design and technology, modern foreign languages, information and communications technology and PE.
They suggest that the government should give green cards to all foreigners who come to America to study science, technology, engineering or maths.
And in Plowden's day, there was nothing like the Third International Maths and Science Study, published in 1996, which compared the abilities of more than 500, 000 pupils in 26 countries.
Ministers say the curriculum will be slimmed down, but there will be "detailed programmes of study" for English, maths and science that will set out the "core knowledge" expected.
He set up the charity with the specific intention of getting children from disadvantaged backgrounds into universities to study the Stem subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.
They also recommend that students should study a wider range of subjects, following the example of Singapore where students who study arts or humanities must also take a maths or science subject.
Compiled by researchers in the US, the Timss study is an important benchmark for comparing standards in maths and science around the world.
Overall English pupils achieved scores in line with the international average for maths in the 2003 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), with the top 10% of pupils' results comparable with those from some high achieving East Asian countries.
"We have a common goal, to inspire young people, to show them the wonder and excitement that science, technology, engineering and maths can bring and to encourage them to study and pursue these subjects to higher levels and in their careers, " he said.
BBC: NEWS | UK | Education | ?18m to inspire science students
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